Disclaimer: I do not own Doctor Who in any way, all rights go to the BBC
Claire's Outfit: chapter_26/set?id=123357030
Soundtrack: /theshadowphantom102/the-artist-and-the-doctor (Feel free to give me recommendations for the soundtrack!)
I walked solemnly into the TARDIS where I met up with the Doctor. He was leaning on the console, back turned away from me. Shyly, I made my way over to him and nuzzled my face against his back and circled my arms around his waist. Without a word, the Doctor turned around in my arms to face me. He rested his head on my shoulder and sighed deeply.
"Alphie's going to have to grow up without a mom." I whispered a single tear sliding down my cheek.
The Doctor rubbed small circles into my back and pressed a kiss to my forehead. "He'll be fine, he's got his dad."
I nodded into his shoulder before pulling away. "Right, Molly's wedding." I quickly wiped my tears away.
"Claire, we can leave later if you want, wait until you feel better." The Doctor suggested.
I shook my head. "No, we've waited long enough." I walked towards the hallway before turning around. "Make sure to wear a tux." With a wink I disappeared down the hallway.
"Claire, you ready yet?" The Doctor had been pounding on my door for the past ten minutes.
"I told you, I'm almost done. Patience is a virtue, my friend." I joked as I finished putting on my makeup.
"You've been in there for nearly an hour." He whined.
"I have not. It's only been twenty minutes." I could practically hear him pouting from behind the door. With a roll of my eyes I opened the door for him with a grand gesture of my arm.
Instead of a playful bow or a cheeky comment that he would normally make when I did this, he just stood there with his mouth hanging ajar. His grey-green eyes seemed to glaze over as he stared at me dreamily. A deep blush creeped its way into my cheeks as I shyly averted my eyes from him.
"You… you look really… beautiful…" The Doctor finally stammered out as he raked his eyes over my deep purple off the shoulder dress.
"Th-thank you." I reached up on my tiptoes to straighten the top hat on his head. "Very classy, I must say." I giggled.
"Why thank you. Shall we?" He asked offering me his arm.
"We shall." I looped an arm through his and let him lead me to the TARDIS's exit.
The two of us eagerly made our way to the doors of the reception. Unfortunately, the Doctor time jumped so we ended up missing the ceremony. He learned his lesson though after a few whacks to the shoulder from me.
"I can't believe we missed the ceremony." I grumbled as we trudged up the stairs.
"I said I was sorry, and I promise to make it up to you." He pleaded.
"You were probably late for your own wedding. I bet River beat you up for that." I teased.
"To be fair, I was not late for that! It was more of a spontaneous gesture which ended up being a mistake." He pointed out.
I rolled my eyes.
"And this is probably the second wedding I've been late to."
"Geez… are you ever on time?"
"Well, Amy forgave me and yes I am on time quite a lot. You just haven't witnessed it yet."
I giggled and elbowed him in the side playfully. We walked into the reception area where all of the couple's friends and family gathered. I even spotted a few of my family members as well as Danae and Maia's, since our families were so close.
"Wow, big wedding." The Doctor examined.
"Don't like big weddings?" I asked.
"No, I love big weddings. More people for me to challenge a dance off to." He answered excitedly.
"Please don't." I mumbled.
The Doctor smirked. "You're going to be my first competitor." He said with a wink.
I laughed. "Believe me, I'd rather not. Besides, you'll probably cheat, like in Mario Cart."
"You're still mad about that?" He pouted.
"Watch out, I tend to hold a grudge." I teased playfully.
"Quit flirting, before I throw up. Now give me a hug!" Maia exclaimed pushing the Doctor out of the way and pulling me into one of her famous bone crushing hugs. "Ugh, I've missed you so much! How's traveling going?" She asked pulling away.
I paused, so much had happened since I started traveling with the Doctor. I grew more confident in myself, loved, lost and explored the universe. "It's…life changing…" I finally said with a small smile. "So, where's the bride?" I asked skimming the crowd for Molly.
"Oh, she's with Danae over by the bar." Maia pointed towards the bar where I saw Molly and Danae ordering drinks.
The Doctor laced his fingers with mine as the two of us headed over to the bar. Danae smiled warmly at the sight of us causing Molly to turn around. Her face literally lit up as she pulled me into a hug.
"You made it!" She cried.
"Yes, I'm so, so sorry we missed the ceremony. The Doctor time jumped by accident, oh, you'll probably never forgive me for missing your wedding."
"You're here now, that's all I care about." Molly smiled.
I returned her smile before taking in her wedding gown. She looked absolutely stunning. Her dress was an off white covered in lace with a long train in the back. Her dirty blonde hair was pulled back with an array of white, pink, and yellow flowers tucked behind her ear. "You look gorgeous." I smiled. I couldn't believe one of my best friends was now a married woman. It seemed like just yesterday Molly, Danae, Maia, my sister Ashlee and I were out in the backyard of my grandparent's house playing imaginary games. "I can't believe, you're actually married!"
"Me too." She laughed. Her hazel eyes then settled on the Doctor who stood awkwardly beside me.
"I'm glad you made it." She smiled giving the Doctor a quick hug. The Doctor's eyes widened in surprise, but he hugged her back. "You guy's are just in time for the dancing." She grinned. "Neil and I are starting our wedding dance soon, but after that the real fun starts."
The Doctor's eyes lit up with joy at the mention of dancing. "I only come for the dancing."
"I heard." Molly laughed. Someone from the other side of the room waved her over to get ready for her special dance.
Danae then snuck up behind me and gave me a warm hug. "I missed you!" She pouted.
"I missed you too." I exclaimed hugging her tightly. She soon erupted into a fit of giggles. "What's so funny?" I asked pulling away. She nodded behind me. Turning around I saw the Doctor taking a sip out of a glass of champagne only to spit it back out into the glass. To my horror he handed it to a guest walking by who gladly accepted it.
"Doctor!" I scolded him while taking a swat at his arm.
"Oi! What I do?" He asked in confusion.
"You just spat out your drink and gave it to that lady! That's disgusting!"
"I didn't like it." He answered as if that were a good enough excuse. He then proceeded to order a glass of Sangria only to spit that out as well.
"Ok, Doctor, stop." I laughed. "Can I have two Shirley temples?" I asked the bartender. Within seconds, the bartender placed two Shirley temples in front of us. I picked one up and handed it to the Doctor. "Here try this."
The Doctor took it from my hand before slowly bringing it to his lips. He hesitated slightly before quickly taking a big gulp. His eyes immediately lit up and he smiled down at me. "That is so much better." The Doctor announced happily before downing the rest and asking for another. I giggled behind my glass as he happily munched on a cherry.
The lights then started to dim and the soft beginning to Sinead O'Connor's When You Love rang throughout the room. Everyone started to crowd around the dance floor as Molly and Neil began to sway in time to the music.
Close your eyes
Leave the world behind.
Find a place,
Deep inside.
Where – you imagine,
That love never dies.
A small smile graced my lips as I watched my friend dance with the love of her life. I took a small sip of my Shirley temple and leaned on the railing of the bannister in front of me.
In the night,
When you reach for me.
In your heart,
Hear my sigh.
Now and forever,
Will – you remember?
I looked to my side expecting to find the Doctor, but he wasn't there. I continued to look around me, but couldn't find him. Brushing it off, I turned my attention back to the bride and groom's dance.
When you love,
You're not alone.
The one you love,
Is there beside you.
Never lost,
Or on your own.
A gentle hand,
Is there to guide you.
I nearly jumped out of my skin when a hand landed softly on my shoulder. Turning around I came face to face with the Doctor. A soft giggle escaped my lips as I watched him happily take a drink from his third Shirley temple. Thank God it's not alcoholic.
Like the sun
I am shining down,
Through the vale,
Through the clouds.
When you can't see me,
You must believe me
"You really like Shirley's don't you?" I joked.
The Doctor nodded in agreement as he swayed in time to the music causing me to break into another fit of giggles. The Doctor smiled fondly at me. "I love it when you do that." He blurted out suddenly.
That…
When you love
"Do what?" I asked curiously as my giggles started to subside.
You're not alone.
The Doctor paused for a second. His beautiful grey-green eyes stared at me nervously.
The one you love,
Is there beside you.
"When you burst into sudden fits of laughter. I find it to be rather adorable." He said quickly under his breath.
Never lost,
Or on your own.
I felt my face heat up from embarrassment as my heart began beating rapidly.
A gentle hand,
Is there to guide you.
I shyly averted my eyes from his. "Thank you." My face was probably the shade of a tomato by now.
The Doctor suddenly wrapped his arms around me and held me against his chest. "Is this okay?" He asked nervously.
When you love,
You're not alone.
I nodded into his chest and listened to the steady rhythm of his twin hearts. The two of us observed the bride and groom, enjoying a stolen moment of our own.
The one you love,
Is there beside you.
Never lost,
Or on your own.
A gentle hand,
Is there to guide you.
The happy couple on stage kissed as the song slowly faded to an end. The Doctor and I remained in our comfortable embrace
"Eh hem…"
The Doctor and I quickly broke apart from one another and faced my older brother Spencer and older sister Ashlee sharing a knowing smirk as they stared the two of us down.
"Knew it." Ashlee stated triumphantly before turning to Spencer. "I win, give me the butterscotch."
Spencer sighed heavily in defeat as he fished around in his pocket for the treat.
"Umm, what was that all about?" I asked my siblings suspiciously.
"Oh, you see, Ashlee really wanted my last butterscotch, but I only had one left. So she started a bet that if you two were a thing then she would get the last one if not it's mine." Spencer explained handing the butterscotch to my sister.
"So you guys placed a bet on me?"
"Basically yeah." Ashlee answered popping the butterscotch in her mouth.
"But we're not really a…." I started.
"Yeah… no, not really…" The Doctor finished.
"Tough. You two were just cuddling and looked like a real pair of lovebirds, so yeah. You guys are dating." Ashlee confirmed before taking a dramatic turn for the bar.
"Better make sure she doesn't drink her weight in margaritas." Spencer said giving me a hug before running after Ashlee.
"Sorry about-"
"The three of you are related?" The Doctor asked suddenly.
I paused completely taken off guard. "Yeah, their my siblings. You met them at Christmas remember?" I laughed.
"Where are your parents?" The Doctor asked scanning the room for them.
"Umm over there." I pointed in the direction of the bar where my immediate family was conversing.
The Doctor grabbed my hand and strode up to my family a determined look on his face. "Excuse me, Claire's family?"
"Yes, how may I help you?" My dad asked with a smile.
"Hi, I'm John Smith, Claire's boyfriend. Though you can just call me the Doctor. " The Doctor introduced shaking my father's hand excitedly.
"Wait you guys just said that you weren't a thing." Spencer said in confusion.
"Well, we are. Sorry, for the lie. You know how shy Claire can be." The Doctor said pressing a kiss to my forehead and wrapping an arm around my waist.
"Nice to meet you." My dad said. "I'm Anthony and this is my wife Nova."
"Finally, you've found someone!" My mom pulled the Doctor in for a hug. Surprised, the Doctor returned the hug before pulling away. My mom turned her attention to me. "Claire why didn't you tell me you had a boyfriend? Wait, isn't this the same fellow you brought home for Christmas? Yes it is! How could I forget such a handsome face?"
"Mom, stop." My face was on fire. "Now if you'll excuse us." I quickly pulled the Doctor away from my parents. Once we were out of earshot I turned on the Doctor. "What was that all about?"
"I needed to check something." The Doctor said distractedly. He kept glancing between my family and I.
"Is something wrong?" I asked, quickly scanning the room.
"No, it's just… both of your parents have brown eyes and brown hair. Where did your sister get her blue eyes from? Same with her hair, it's red and Spencer has some red highlights. Their hair is also straight. Only you and your mom have curly hair." The Doctor seemed seriously conflicted by this. "I just don't understand it."
"I didn't think you would be so interested in this." I laughed. "But, before my dad met my mom he was already married to another woman. My dad and her had Spencer and Ashlee. A few months after Ashlee was born she took off. My dad was heartbroken. Well anyways, he met my mom about a year later. The two fell in love instantly, got married and had me a few years later." I stated with a shrug. "So I guess that's why my siblings and I have some physical differences."
The Doctor nodded. I could practically see the gears turning in his head. "Is your grandmother here?" He asked taking me off guard again.
"She should be. Why do you need to see my grandma?" I asked confused as to why he was so interested in my family tonight.
"It's important. But before I go find her. Is she your mom's mom or your dad's mom?" He asked. There was a fire in his eyes I had never seen before.
"My dad's mom. Why is this so important?" I asked.
"Don't follow me." The Doctor said firmly. He pressed his lips to my forehead and bopped me on the nose before running in search of my grandmother.
The Doctor
Ever since I met Claire, I knew there was something different about her. Everyone in the universe has certain qualities that differentiate him or her from others, but rarely did I find someone who was different from the rest of their species. When I first found out about Claire's gift for bringing drawings to life, I found it to be a curious thing, but I needed more information about it before I started jumping to conclusions. Thoughts of her being a rare species like a Triloa or a Ryxcliopteian came to mind or maybe even a certain hybrid of Time Lord, but she always ended up human. All of the tests that I performed from that one blood sample I was able to get from her ended up steering me to even more dead ends. Which could only mean I had to dig deeper into her past to figure out what she was.
I could tell that she was scared of the power she possessed, even when I tried to reassure her that it was a gift and that I would make sure things wouldn't get out of hand. She still refrained from doing what she loved most in order to protect others. I wanted to help her and I didn't want her to be afraid anymore. I wanted to reassure her and tell her everything would be okay. For the past ten months of having her as my companion I had given my all to find what it was that was causing all of this, but of course I always ended up with more unsolved answers. She remained the biggest mystery I had yet to solve, until now.
Back in December, when I had a lovely conversation with her grandmother I found out about a stray Time Lord. There was another Time Lord out there. When I first heard about this I instantly thought Claire could be it, but alas I wasn't sure. Besides, she didn't have a fob watch. If she had a fob watch, I would've had more of a lead. But there was something in the back of my brain nagging at me that Claire and the stray Time Lord were connected in some way.
That's why I needed to talk with Claire's grandmother again. Claire may not have been adopted, but could it possibly have been someone in her family? Someone only she was related to?
Her mother!
It had to be her mother! There was no other explanation! If this theory failed me then I would certainly be at a complete loss.
I spotted Claire's grandmother sitting at a vacant table observing the celebration from afar. A joyous smile graced her lips when she noticed me heading in her direction.
"Doctor!" She greeted cheerfully. I bent down to her level to give her a hug and a kiss on the cheek. "I was hoping I'd see you here." She smiled.
"I was hoping I'd find you, Mrs. Carlo-" I started but was cut off by the elderly human.
"Please, call me Carlotta."
"Carlotta, I need to ask you about something. Something very important." I said urgently.
She stared up at me with her wise brown eyes and patted an empty chair beside her. I quickly arranged myself in the seat before facing her. "It's about Claire."
"Yes."
I glanced around the room to make sure no one was within earshot. "Do you know anything about Claire's mother?"
The old woman seemed taken aback for a moment. "What do you mean?"
"Did you ever meet her parents?"
Carlotta paused for a second. "No, she's an orphan. Poor thing doesn't know anything about her biological parents."
My hearts began to beat at extremely fast pace. "Was she ever adopted? Which orphanage did she attend? Was she left with anything? Particularly a watch?" I asked quickly, unable to contain my excitement as questions flew from my mouth.
Carlotta held up a hand to silence me. "You're very eager." She chuckled softly. "No, she was never adopted and it was the orphanage just up the street from here; St. Mary's. As for that last question…" She paused in thought. "I don't know if she was left with a watch or anything. You'll have to ask her yourself."
At that moment Claire and her mother approached us. Claire greeted her grandmother with a warm hug and a kiss on the cheek before resting a hand on my shoulder. "Everything okay?" She asked, a worried expression on her face.
She always knew when something was on my mind, whether it was good or bad. "I'm fine. Just having a chat with Carlotta, that's all." I smiled.
"Oh, Nova dear. Do you have the time?" Carlotta asked the middle-aged woman.
"Yes, of course." She dug around in her purse seeming slightly exasperated. "I gave my phone to my husband. All I have is this silly old watch. It doesn't work though. Won't be much use, sorry." Nova stated handing a pocket watch to Carlotta.
"It's 9." Claire answered after checking her cell phone.
I stared at the watch in awe. It was definitely a silver fob watch. I could just make out the circular Gallifreyan from where I was standing. "That watch…" I started.
"Hmm, the lock is stuck." Carlotta stated as she tried opening it. "Very interesting markings though."
"Yeah, the lock can be funny. It's very old. Had it for as long as I can remember." Nova shrugged.
"Here, Grandma, let me help." Claire offered, taking the watch from her grandmother. Her brown eyes studied the delicate Gallifreyan swirls as recognition flashed across her features. "These markings…" Claire gasped before meeting my gaze. "It's…"
I nodded in agreement.
"How?" She asked in shock. "Mom, this watch. Where did you get it?" She turned to her mother, who quickly took the watch from her.
"I just said, that I've had it for as long as I can remember. When I was dropped off at the orphanage this watch was with me. It's the only thing I have from my parents." She sighed. "This lock is always so funny." She grumbled as she fumbled with the lock.
"Don't-" I shouted quickly. But I was too late. She opened the watch.
A/N: Cliffhanger! Sorry, I had to. So yes, a lot to digest in this chapter. If anything is confusing, feel free to ask questions! I hope you all enjoyed the chapter :)
Sydy:I honestly don't really care that Rose got her own Doctor, it was always something I just shrugged off :P As for Donna… I LOVE HER! She's definitely one of my favorite companions. XD
Xxchristabellex:Thank you for telling me that, I didn't know. :P
ShineYourOwnWay: I don't know if I'm going to bring in Clara or not. I'm still considering it. I feel like it might be a little confusing to have two characters with similar names. I don't know maybe I'll bring her in at some point :P